Arson attacks by insurgents in three southernmost provinces

[webfact]

 

Suspected insurgents launched coordinated robbery and arson attacks on multiple targets in the three restive southernmost provinces of Pattani, Yala and Narathiwat early this morning.

 

The targets included 7-11 convenience stores, a crushing plant, cell towers, CCTV cameras, a road grader, a saw mill and a car. Car tyres were also set alight on some roads, but no one was killed or injured.

 

In one of the arson attacks on a 7-11 convenience store in Muang district of Pattani, an employee told the police said that three armed men fired several shots into the air before they entered the store and ordered all the employees to leave. One of them refused and a rebel threatened to shoot him.

 

Then the rebels poured gasoline over the cashier’s counter and set it alight, before fleeing the scene on motorcycles.

 

Full story: Thai PBS 2024-03-22

 

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[bamnutsak]

Insurgents launch 39 coordinated attacks in four deep South provinces

 

Suspected insurgents carried out coordinated attacks on at least 39 locations in four southernmost provinces in the early hours of Friday, leaving at least one person dead, local security authorities said.

 

https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40036626

[bamnutsak]

Number of locations hit now up to 45...I'm wondering if 22 March was the anniversary of some heinous act? Just when it looked like peace talks were making progress.

 

NNT- National News Bureau of Thailand 
17m  · 
Southern Thailand has been rocked by a series of coordinated attacks across 45 locations in the provinces of Pattani, Yala, Narathiwat, and Songkhla. The attack began in the early hours of March 22, at 1:00 a.m., culminating in an arson attack at the Bacho Cooperative in Khok Khian subdistrict of Narathiwat province around 4:00 p.m. the same day. 
Authorities are currently conducting a thorough investigation into these attacks, believed to be the work of insurgent groups aiming to disrupt the peaceful observance of Ramadan. The violence also appears to be an attempt to destabilize the local economy and infrastructure, further undermining the authority of security services in these areas. 
Lt Gen Santi Sakuntanark, Commander of the Fourth Army Region, has called for an expedited and comprehensive inquiry into the incidents. His directives focus on identifying those responsible for the attacks and understanding their motives, with the goal of restoring peace and ensuring the safety of the public. 
The Internal Security Operations Command (ISOC) Region 4 has also reached out to the community for assistance. The public is encouraged to report any information related to the incidents or any suspicious activity they encounter. To facilitate this, two hotlines have been established: the direct line to the Fourth Army Region Commander at 061-1732999 and the emergency number of the ISOC Region 4 Forward Command at 1341. 

[Srikcir]

1 hour ago, bamnutsak said:

Just when it looked like peace talks were making progress.

Maybe that's the issue - they're not. 

[bamnutsak]

7 minutes ago, Srikcir said:

Maybe that's the issue - they're not. 

 

Or someone wants to derail them?

 

 

The peace talks were making significant progress, the new Thai government put forth a civilian as chief negotiator.

 

The situation has also no doubt been helped by the Thai government’s appointment of Chatchai as its lead negotiator; he is the first civilian to fill that role, which could help the government move beyond viewing the southern conflict through a narrow security lens.

 

https://thediplomat.com/2024/02/thai-government-and-southern-separatists-agree-to-new-plan-to-end-conflict/

 

 

[brianthainess]

Rebels, insurgents, but no terrorists.